It was a privilege to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Year 13 pupils in their GCSE examinations and our Year 14 leavers, who excelled in their A Level results, alongside their proud families. Senior Prize Day remains one of the most anticipated events in our school calendar, and this year’s celebration truly lived up to that reputation. The occasion was a testament to the dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent that define our school community.

This year’s ceremony held special significance as it marked the first Prize Day under the leadership of our new Principal, Mrs Jennifer Reid, whose vision and commitment promise an exciting future for our school. We were equally honoured to welcome back one of our distinguished former pupils, Mrs Claire Bowles, as our Guest of Honour and presenter of awards. Her inspiring presence reminded us of the enduring impact of a strong educational foundation and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for our students.

The event was not only a celebration of academic excellence but also of character, perseverance, and ambition—qualities that will continue to shape the lives of our pupils long after they leave our halls.

Opening Remarks

The opening remarks were delivered by the Chair of the Board of Governors, Mr Neal Lucas, who warmly welcomed everyone to this special afternoon of celebration. His speech reflected on our school motto, Esperance, meaning Hope. He reminded us that hope is what our young people must carry into the world today, as the world needs hope more than ever.

Principal’s Report

Our Principal, Mrs Jennifer Reid, presented her first report to guests during Prize Day, sharing a powerful message about success and the values that underpin education at Wallace. She stated:
“Success is not defined by a single grade or accolade. Success looks different for every child. For some, it is achieving the highest academic standards; for others, it is overcoming personal challenges, discovering new talents, or simply growing in confidence and resilience. Every one of these journeys matter, and every one of them deserves to be celebrated.”

Mrs Reid also highlighted the breadth of achievement across academics, sport, music, drama, STEM, and enterprise, noting:
“Education is bigger than outcomes. It is about shaping character, connecting with a community and developing that core.”
She concluded by paying tribute to the dedication of staff, parents, and governors, and expressed her excitement for the future of Wallace High School.

Guest of Honour – Mrs Claire Bowles

We were delighted to welcome Mrs Claire Bowles as our Guest of Honour. Claire is a former pupil of Wallace, joining in 1996 and leaving in 2003 as Deputy Head Girl. She studied English Literature, French, and Spanish at A Level before completing a degree in Languages at Heriot-Watt University and a Master’s in Communications, Advertising and PR at Ulster University. Today, Claire is PR Manager for Ulster University, leading a team responsible for student communications, social media, press, and PR.

In her inspiring address, Claire reflected on her time at Wallace, sharing how the school helped her create “lifelong friendships” and provided opportunities such as drama productions and trips to Europe. She firmly believed that Wallace laid the foundations for her life beyond school, describing:
“The toolbox of skills I developed at Wallace.”
Claire encouraged our pupils to embrace the future with confidence:
“Get excited, be curious, and don’t be afraid to fail. Everything you need for the future is in you already.”
Her final words resonated deeply:
“Do what makes you happy. You don’t need to have it all figured out.”

Reflections

It was a truly wonderful afternoon celebrating the achievements of our pupils and the strength of our school community. Guests enjoyed catching up over refreshments afterwards, making the day not only a celebration of success but also of friendship and shared pride. Thank you to everyone who made this celebration event such a great success.

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